A recent Right to Information (RTI) inquiry by activist Shonee Kapoor has unveiled concerning statistics about rape cases in Delhi between 2021 and 2024. The data, analyzed and reported by journalist Vineet Upadhyay in The Times of India, indicates a conviction rate of merely 4.3% in rape trials across five of Delhi’s seven district courts.
Key Findings:
Low Conviction Rate: Out of 3,097 rape cases tried, only 133 resulted in convictions.
Complainants Turning Hostile: In the Saket and Rohini courts, 194 complainants withdrew their statements, leading to acquittals.
Serial False Accusations: Instances were found where individuals filed multiple false rape complaints; one woman lodged eight such cases.
Financial Implications: Over ₹88 crore was disbursed as compensation to complainants, but only ₹6 lakh was recovered in cases identified as false.
Expert Opinions:
Activist Deepika Narayan Bhardwaj highlighted the misuse of rape laws, stating that post-2013 legal reforms have sometimes been exploited for personal vendettas or financial gain. She emphasized the need for stringent verification processes during FIR registrations to prevent such misuse.
Legal experts also pointed out systemic inefficiencies, including inadequate investigations and prosecutorial lapses, contributing to low conviction rates. They stressed the importance of early verification and thorough investigations to ensure justice for genuine victims while preventing misuse of the legal system.
Conclusion:
The RTI findings shed light on the complexities surrounding rape cases in Delhi, emphasizing the need for judicial reforms, better investigative procedures, and mechanisms to deter false accusations. While it’s crucial to support genuine survivors, ensuring that the legal system isn’t exploited is equally important to maintain its integrity.
For a detailed analysis, refer to the original report by Vineet Upadhyay in The Times of India.
